Feasibility Study for a Solar-Energy Stand-Alone System: (S.E.S.A.S.)
206
The barrier to lowering the price of high purity hydro-
gen is the fact that it must use far more than 35 kWh of
electricity to generate one kg of hydr ogen gas. It takes 60
kWh to make the hydrogen itself, that’s a cost of $6.00
per kg if electric power cost is 10 cents per kWh.
4. Design Parameters
The proposed study is aimed to serve a small community
living on Stand-Alone Solar-Energy System (S.A.S.E.S.)
[3]. As a basis for the study 1 cubic meter of hydrogen is
produced by electrolysis in 5 hrs and requires energy
input of 5 KW-hr.
The following are the main parameters underlying the
study:
1) 2 photovoltaic modules, each is 1000 Watt (1 KW)
are to be constructed.
2) One module will be used to supply electricity for
day use; while the other will supply power to the hydro-
gen electrolyzer.
3) A 1000 Watt electrolyzer is used.
4) 1 cubic meter of hydrogen is equivalent to 3 KW-hr
(thermally). For practical calculations, 5 KW-hr will be
used instead of 3.
5) In one hour, 1 KW electrolyzer receives energy of
1KW-hr to produce 1/5 cubic meter of hydrogen and 1/2
this quantity of oxygen.
6) Hydrogen output will be = 7 cubic feet/hr (35.3
ft3/m3), as illustrated by reference [4].
7) The average annual sunshine hours for countries in
the Middle East = 2500 hrs, as reported by the authors
[5].
5. Economic Feasibility of the Project
To judge the econo mic feasibility of a project, on e has to
estimate first the capital investment and the operating
costs. Next a life time of the equipment is assumed. Fi-
nally the production costs $/unit is figured out and com-
pared with the curren t production cost of a product.
To come up with a preliminary cost for the produced
hydrogen we will concern ourselves with the cost analy-
sis for the electrolysis unit only. The following calcula-
tions are presented:
1) The annual production rate of hydrogen from elec-
trolyzer =7 (ft3/hr) × 2500 (hr/y) = 17,500 ft3.
2) The capital cost of one photovoltaic module + elec-
trolyzer = $1500 + $2500 = $4000.
3) Assuming a life time of the equipment = 10 years.
4) Annual depreciation costs = $4000/10 = $400.
5) Annual operating & maintenance costs (10% of
fixed capital costs) = 0.1 ×$4000 = $400.
6) The annual total cost of hydrogen production = de-
preciation cost of equipment + operating and mainte-
ance costs = $400 + $400 = $800. n
7) Costs of hydrogen production= $800/(17,500 ft3)= 5
cent/ft3.
The cost of electricity produced by the second photo-
voltaic module is figured out as follows:
1) A 1000 Watt will produce energy in one year equiva-
lent = 1000 Watt × 2500 hr = 2500 KW-hr.
2) The price of a 1000 Watt photovoltaic module is $1500.
The re f ore c os t o f e l ec tr i ci t y= ($1500)/(10 y)/(2500 KW-hr/y)
= 6 cents per one KW-hr.
6. Discussions and Conclusions
The system presented in this paper offers a practical and
simple mode for harnessing the sun to provide energy for
a small community. Solar energy is regarded by many as
the only ideal energy source especially for countries in
the middle east located around the so called “solar belt”.
Coupling solar energy with hydrogen production along
with fuel cells is the main feature of the S.E.S.A.S.
Electrolysis on the other hand is presently the most
practical generation method, and offers the greatest
promise of meeting required capital and operating cost
objectives without requ iring a major technological break-
through [6].
Cost analysis and feasibility study indicate that the
system would be more attractive for scale-up production.
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